Access to fabric and a sewing machine enables endless creative possibilities during the festive season. Including these delightful bows which are a perfect finishing touch to Christmas decorating. We've used left over quilt batting to create structure while still keeping things soft and pliable.
Tie to the tree, add one to a wreath or pin to your wall or front door - so many options!
Finished measurements: approx 25cm x 42cm
You'll need: (for one bow)
✂️ Fabric : 150cm wide x 0.2m or 110cm x 0.4m
✂️ Quilt batting : 15cm x 24cm
✂️ A pair of fabric scissors.
✂️ Sewing machine and thread
✂️ Cotton tape - approx 25cm
✂️ Bamboo point turner
Method:
- Iron fabric flat.
- Cut fabric into three rectangles:
- 16cm x 89cm (Ties)
- 15cm x 51cm (Bow)
- 8cm x 12cm (Centre of bow)
- Cut quilt batting into rectangle: 15cm x 24cm
- Centre batting on wrong side of Bow
- Fold short ends, right sides together, into centre - overlapping by 1cm.
- Stitch to join sides and attached quilt batting using a 0.5cm seam allowance.
- Trim corners and turn through to right side. Use a point turner to turn out corners.
- You now have your bow prepped. The side with the opening is now the back of your bow.
- Take long strip of fabric (Ties). Fold in half, right sides together, matching long edges.
- Cut a right angled triangle from each end as per photo below.
- Sew with a 0.5cm seam allowance - start at point of one end, sewing long edges together. Leave a gap of approx 6cm in the centre of the ribbon. This will be to turn the ribbon through to the right side. If using a bulky fabric, this opening may need to be a little larger.
- Turn through to right side. Press flat, turning in opening seam allowances.
- Optional: stitch open closed by hand or machine.
- Centre Tie on back of Bow, stitching in place along centre line. As per image below.
- Sew Centre of Bow. Take small rectangle of fabric, fold lengthways, right sides together and stitch with 0.5cm seam allowance.
- Turn to right side, press with seam in centre of rectangle. Side with seam is wrong side.
- Fold in half, right sides together.
- Centre cotton tape just within the seam allowance and sew with 0.5cm seam allowance as show in image below.
- Turn through to right side.
- Slip Centre of Bow over one end of the Tie. Move it until it sits in the centre of the bow. Adjust to even out gathers that are created.
Et Voila!
Make it your own:
✂️ Use different fabrics to decorate year round - nurseries, birthday parties, Easter, weddings or when you want to add a little whimsy.
✂️ Play with scale! Go tiny, go big!
✂️ Patch together fabrics for an eclectic look
✂️ Add to hair ties and clips
✂️ Stitch onto a broach for a fun addition to your next outfit.
